Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Monday's session are ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM), Transocean Ltd. (RIG,
RIGN.VX) and Gogo Inc. (GOGO).
Shire PLC (SHPG, SHP.LN) has agreed to buy ViroPharma for $4.2
billion, extending its bet on the market for medicines treating
rare diseases. The purchase price of $50 a share is a 27% premium
to ViroPharma's closing share price on Friday and a 64% premium to
the price in September before speculation of a deal emerged.
Shire's American depositary shares rose 3.7% to $139.36 premarket,
while ViroPharma's shares jumped 26% to $49.58.
Transocean said it has entered into an agreement with activist
investor and major shareholder Carl Icahn that includes a proposed
reduction in the maximum number of directors on its board, while
separately announcing plans for an initial public offering of a
master limited partnership. The offshore driller's shares rose 2.5%
to $54.81 premarket.
Gogo's third-quarter beat-and-raise showed the business that's
liable to be generated as fliers continue to seek out wireless
services while flying. As of Sept. 30, the company provided service
on 24% more commercial planes in North America than a year earlier
and had 41% more business jets with its air-to-ground broadband
services. Shares rose 19% to $22.25 premarket.
Cloud communication provider 8x8 Inc. (EGHT) agreed to acquire
privately held U.K.-based Voicenet Solutions for $18.4 million in
cash. Shares fell 4.7% to $10.14 in light premarket trading.
Watch List:
Best Buy Co. (BBY) joins a growing list of retailers trying to
extend the much-hyped Black Friday shopping frenzy by opening most
of its stores Thanksgiving Day. The consumer-electronics retailer
said that more than 1,000 of its stores will open at 6 p.m. local
time Thanksgiving Day.
Cohen & Steers Inc. (CNS) said Monday that it will separate
the chairman and chief executive roles in January, as the
investment management firm divides up the positions among its two
namesakes.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.'s (GWR) consolidated traffic rose
6.3% in October from a year earlier on a pro forma basis, boosted
by growth in metallic ores and metals shipments.
IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) and NYSE Euronext (NYX) said
Friday they had received the necessary regulatory approvals to
close their deal. ICE's $9.4 billion acquisition of NYSE will close
Wednesday, the companies said.
RDA Microelectronics Inc. (RDA) agreed to be acquired by a unit
of Chinese state owned Tsinghua Holdings Co. in a deal estimated at
$910 million. RDA Microelectronics shareholders will receive $18.50
per American depositary share, a 5.5% premium to Friday's
close.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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